GDP rate in the European Union: Simulations based on panel data models

The objective of this paper is to provide more details regarding the evolution of real GDP growth in the countries of the European Union (EU-28) in the period from 2004 to 2015 based on a panel data approach. According to the estimations based on some dynamic panel data models, an any increase in the real GDP rate in the previous period by one percentage point, the real GDP rate in the current period will increase by 0.3 percentage points up to 0.5 percentage points. According to the Fixed Effects Model with time and individual effects, the real GDP growth is explained by the employment. According to simulations for 2016 and 2017 based on Dynamic Model and the Fixed Effects Model, the last model predicting higher GDP rates with respect to dynamic models. The result of this study is the estimation of the real GDP rates in EU-28 countries, which are based on presented econometrics models. The annual average of employment as the main factor of GDP growth is taken into account. © Foundation of International Studies, 2016

The Influence of runner system on production of injection molds

This experimental study describes the influence of runner system on rheological properties during the injection molding process. Economic effects on the amount of production are discussed as well. Autodesk Moldflow Synergy 2016 (Moldflow) was used for the study of the injection process. Three suggestions of the runner system, cold runner system, hot runner system and the combination of cold hot runner system have been promoted. These three variants underwent the rheological and economic analysis. As a result, recommendations for the application of the runner system for the required amount of production have been suggested.Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the Czech Republic within the National Sustainability Programme [LO1303 (MSMT-7778/2014)]; European Regional Development Fund under the project CEBIA-Tech [CZ.1.05/2.1.00/03.0089]; TBU in Zlin [IGA/FT/2016/010

A time performance comparison of particle swarm optimization in mobile devices

This paper deals with the comparison of three implementations of Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO), which is a powerful algorithm utilized for optimization purposes. Xamarin, a cross-platform development software, was used to build a single C# application capable of being executed on three different mobile operating systems (OS) devices, namely Android, iOS, and Windows Mobile 10, with native level performance. Seven thousand tests comprising PSO evaluations of seven benchmark functions were carried out per mobile OS. A statistical evaluation of time performance of the test set running on three similar devices each running a different mobile OS is presented and discussed. Our findings show that PSO running on Windows Mobile 10 and iOS devices have a better performance in computation time than in Android.Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the Czech Republic within the National Sustainability Programme [LO1303 (MSMT-7778/2014)]; European Regional Development Fund under the project CEBIA-Tech [CZ.1.05/2.1.00/03.0089]; Grant Agency of the Czech Republic-GACR [588 P103/15/06700S]; Internal Grant Agency of Tomas Bata University in Zlin [IGA/CebiaTech/2016/007

Do evolutionary algorithms indeed require random numbers? Extended study

An inherent part of evolutionary algorithms, that are based on Darwin theory of evolution and Mendel theory of genetic heritage, are random processes. In this participation, we discuss whether are random processes really needed in evolutionary algorithms. We use n periodic deterministic processes instead of random number generators and compare performance of evolutionary algorithms powered by those processes and by pseudo-random number generators. Deterministic processes used in this participation are based on deterministic chaos and are used to generate periodical series with different length. Results presented here are numerical demonstration rather than mathematical proofs. We propose that a certain class of deterministic processes can be used instead of random number generators without lowering of evolutionary algorithms performance. © Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2013

Using the SW modeling and simulating tools in transport of hazardous cargos

This contribution looks into the possibilities of contemporary software tools for simulating and modeling the crisis situations; and its usage in the field of transport. It deals with the possibility of application of these tools in solving extraordinary situations that can occur relating to the transport of hazardous substances.Internal Grant Agency of Tomas Bata University in Zlin, Namesti T.G.Masaryka Zlin, Czech Republic [IGA/FAI/2016/009

Non-edible parts of Solanum stramoniifolium Jacq. - a new potent source of bioactive extracts rich in phenolic compounds for functional foods

Extracts prepared from leaves, roots, and stems of Solanum stramoniifolium Jacq. (Solanaceae) in 80% ethanol have been tested for their in vitro antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and cytotoxic activities with an aim to find new sources of substances for functional foods and food additives. The root extract revealed the highest antioxidant activity in all assays exceeding the trolox capacity, and was the only extract that inhibited nitric oxide production in mouse macrophage cells, showing also the capacity to suppress the growth of all tested human tumor cell lines (MCF-7, NCI-H460, HeLa and HepG2). The leaf extract showed the strongest antimicrobial activity inhibiting all tested clinical isolates. To the author's best knowledge it was the first time that all individual parts of this plant were tested for biological activity together with the phenolic compound characterization.Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT, Portugal) [UID/AGR/00690/2013, SFRH/BPD/107855/2015, SFRH/BPD/101413/2014, SFRH/BPD/BPD/68344/2010]; FEDER [UID/AGR/00690/2013, SFRH/BPD/107855/2015, SFRH/BPD/101413/2014, SFRH/BPD/BPD/68344/2010]; FEDER, through POCI-COMPETE [POCI-01-0145-FEDER-006984]; FCT [POCI-01-0145-FEDER-006984]; Internal Grant Agency of Tomas Bata University in Zlin [IGA/FT/2016/003]POCI-01-0145-FEDER-006984, CIMO, Kansainvälisen Liikkuvuuden ja Yhteistyön Keskus; POCI-COMPETE2020, FCT, Fundació Catalana de Trasplantament; SFRH/BPD/101413/2014, CIMO, Kansainvälisen Liikkuvuuden ja Yhteistyön Keskus; SFRH/BPD/107855/2015, CIMO, Kansainvälisen Liikkuvuuden ja Yhteistyön Keskus; SFRH/BPD/BPD/68344/2010, CIMO, Kansainvälisen Liikkuvuuden ja Yhteistyön Keskus; UID/AGR/00690/2013, CIMO, Kansainvälisen Liikkuvuuden ja Yhteistyön Keskus; FEDER, Federación Española de Enfermedades Rara

Computer aided education in area of automatic control - CAAC information system

The article deals with a presentation of the CAAC (Computer Aided Automatic Control) information system. This information system has a modular structure and it is open so that it is possible to add and eventually modify particular parts of the CAAC information system easily according to personal requirements and pre-defined rules. The CAAC information system has been arranged for the time being into 15 problem areas, the so called subsystems which include the automatic control. In all subsystems, the so called ?problem specification? is formulated by means of tree structure. The tree structure serves as a basis for the creation of structure of given subsystem on webpages. The use of the information system is anticipated mainly for didactic purposes whereas utilisation of webpages on the Internet is supposed.Z(MSM7088352102

Design of active feedback for rehabilitation device

Sensor systems are an essential part of automated equipment. They are even more important in machines that come in contact with people, because they have a significant impact on safety. This paper describes the design of active feedback for rehabilitation device driven by pneumatic artificial muscles. Here are presented three methods for measuring the load of the robot. The first is a system composed of Force Sensitive Resistors (FSR) placed in the handle of the device. Two other methods are intended to measure the load of the actuator composed of artificial muscles. The principle of one method is to measure the difference in filling pressures of the muscles, second is based on strain measurement in the drive cables. The paper describes advantages and disadvantages of using each of these methods in a rehabilitation deviceEU; Operational Programme Research and Development; Measure 2.2 Transfer of knowledge and technology from research and development into practice; Research and development of intelligent nonconventional actuators based on artificial muscles", ITMS [26220220103]; Slovak Grant Agency VEGA [1/0911/14]; Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the Czech Republic within the National Sustainability Programme [L01303 (MSMT7778/2014)]; European Regional Development Fund under the project CEBIA-Tech [CZ.1.05/2.1.00/03.0089

PPSA: A tool for suboptimal control of time delay systems: Revision and open tasks

Abstract During the development of algebraic controller design in a special ring for time delay systems (TDSs) a problem of a suitable free controller parameters setting appeared. The first author of this contribution recently suggested a natural idea of placing the dominant characteristic numbers (poles) and zeros of the infinite-dimensional feedback control system on the basis of the desired overshoot for a simple finite-dimensional matching model and shifting of the rest of the spectrum. However, the original procedure called the Pole-Placement Shifting based controller tuning Algorithm (PPSA) was not developed and described entirely well. The aim of this paper is to revise the idea of the PPSA and suggest a possible ways how to improve or extend the algorithm. A concise illustrative example is attached to clarify the procedure for the reader as well

Experimental and numerical research of the thermal properties of a PCM window panel

This paper reports the experimental and simulation analysis of a window system incorporating Phase Change Materials (PCMs). In this study, the latent heat storage material is exploited to increase the thermal mass of the building component. A PCM-filled window can increase the possibilities of storage energy from solar radiation and reduce the heating cooling demand. The presented measurements were performed on a specific window panel that integrates a PCM. The PCM window panel consists of four panes of safety glass with three gaps, of which the first one contains a prismatic glass, the second a krypton gas, and the last one a PCM. New PCM window panel technology uses the placement of the PCM in the whole space of the window cavity. This technology improves the thermal performance and storage mass of the window panel. The results show the incongruent melting of salt hydrates and the high thermal inertia of the PCM window panel. The simulation data showed that the PCM window panel and the double glazing panel markedly reduced the peak temperature on the interior surface, reduced the air temperature inside the room, and also considerably improved the thermal mass of the building. This means that the heat energy entering the building through the panel is reduced by 66% in the summer cycle. © 2017 by the authors.Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of Czech Republic within National Sustainability Programme [LO1303(MSMT-7778/2014)]; European Regional Development Fund under project CEBIA-Tech [CZ.1.02/2.1.00/03.0089]; Internal Grant Agency of Tomas Bata University in Zlin [IGA/CebiaTech/2017/002